The Academy

OUR PHILOSOPHY

THE ACADEMY

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. As a player, you have a big part to play. That’s why Phil Pledger Academy is asking every player to follow a Respect Code of Conduct.

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We all bear a collective responsibility to set a good example and help provide a positive environment in which children can learn and enjoy the game. Play your part and observe The Phil Pledger Academy Respect Code of Conduct for spectators at all times.

YOUNG PLAYERS

​WHEN PLAYING FOOTBALL I WILL:

  • Always play to the best of my ability and for the benefit of my team

  • Play fairly – I won’t cheat, dive, complain or waste time

  • Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager

  • Play by the rules, as directed by the referee

  • Be gracious in victory and defeat – I will shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game

  • Listen and respond to what my coach/team manager tells me

  • Understand that a coach has to do what is best for the team and not one individual player

  • Talk to someone I trust or the club welfare officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club.


I understand that if I do not follow the code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by the academy, I MAY:

  • Be required to apologise to my team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager

  • Receive a formal warning from the coach or the club committee

  • Be dropped or substituted

  • Be suspended from training

  • Be required to leave the club. IN ADDITION:

  • Phil Pledger Academy may make my parent or carer aware of any infringements of the Code of Conduct

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SPECTATORS

SPECTATORS WILL:

  • Remember that children play for FUN

  • Applaud effort and good play as well as success

  • Respect the Referee’s decisions even when you don’t agree with them

  • Appreciate good play from whatever team it comes from

  • Remain behind the touchline and within the Designated Spectators’ Area 

  • Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do

  • Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials

  • Support positively and offer players encouragement not criticism

  • Never engage in, or tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour

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I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken: I MAY BE:

  • Issued with a verbal warning from Phil Pledger Academy

  • Required to meet with the academy, or PPA Welfare Officer

  • Obliged to leave the match venue by the academy

  • Requested by the academy not to attend future games

  • Suspended or have my academy membership removed

  • Required to leave the academy along with any dependents.

THE ACADEMY COACHES & TEAM MANAGERS

ON AND OFF THE FIELD, I WILL:

  • Use my position to set a positive example for the young people I am responsible for

  • Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers and spectators

  • Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game

  • Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour

  • Respect the match official’s decision

  • Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission

  • Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour

  • Be gracious in victory and defeat.

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WHEN WORKING WITH PLAYERS, I WILL:

  • Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning

  • Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying

  • Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance

  • Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity